Miss Mary Darracott Barrett Obituary
New Ipswich Historical Society
September 7, 1923
NEW IPSWICH
Miss Mary Darracott Barrett Dead.
Miss Mary Darracott Barrett died Sept. 7 after an illness of little over a week. For the greater part of her life her home has been in Allston, Mass., and since the death of her mother, she has lived at the Hotel Princeton in that city. For about 40 years it has been her custom to spend her summers in New Ipswich and she came to town July 31 and has since been at the home of Walter E. Hardy.
Miss Barrett came of a family prominent in New Ipswich and Concord, Mass. She was born on June 28, 1840 in the Tabraham house in Bank Village and in her childhood lived at the Barrett mansion until the family moved to Boston in 1848. She was the daughter of Charles and Abby (Hart) Barrett who were married by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Her maternal grandfather was Edmund Hart, builder of the old ship Constitution. Her sister, Julia, married Charles Marsh of the firm of Jordan Marsh Co., Boston.
Miss Barrett was loved by all who knew her and did many acts of kindness in her quiet way. She loved music and was a fine musical critic. The immediate survivors are two nieces, Mrs. Edith Marsh Binney and Mrs. Mabel Marsh Milliken, both of Boston.
The funeral was held Sunday after- noon in the chapel at Mount Auburn cemetery and burial was in the family lot.
1923
Photo Archives
Homes of Miss Barrett
James Roger diary entry
11th March 1913
Snow during the night, mild day. Town meeting—a stormy affair with acrimonious and useless debate. More interested in personal, political and factional interests than for the welfare of the town. The same selectmen elected and road agents. Principal Lewis was chosen member of the School Board. Dance in the evening. Got letter from Jessie, and they have colds and had the measles. Mr. Brooks, the egg man, has sold out his business.
Mary Barrett was an interesting woman. Her position of social and economic privilege encouraged and allowed her the freedom to be a musician and think and be a locally renowned critic. Good for her. New Ipswich has produced many dedicated musicians, ecclesiastical and otherwise.
And that horrendous report about the petty political and personal wrangling at town meeting 100 years ago. I always thought people were better back then. I was wrong. What happened to respectful civil discourse during debates? Did civility die 200 years ago? Sounds like a pack of hyenas fighting over a wounded prey.
In the 50s I personally only knew 2 families in the nice section of Bank Village, the Curriers and the Kenyons. They lived at the intersection of River and Old Country Rd. The people in the other homes were of a different economic stratum than I was accustomed to. I find it interesting to learn about them 70 yrs later. It looks like Mary never married. When I did a search on her I found a pending lawsuit against the estate of her sister Julia Marsh. However I don't know the outcome of that suit.